GRE 0-1 RUS: Russia Dethrones Reiging Champions Greece

June 14th, 2008 | by: nick |

Hello to all, and special grettings to all fellow Russian fans. I just wanted to write a small blog entry and get my thoughts out about the Greece Russia match.

First of all I was very impressed with Russia’s performance. It looks like history repeated its self after the 2-1 Russian victory in June 20, 2004. The defensive line was better than the one against Spain but should be prepared for a tough test against Sweden. Makeshift defender Zhirkov played better today. Pavlyuchenko combined well with the midfield to create the best of chances. I felt that the Russians could have really won this game 3-0 or 4-0 given all the shots raining on the Greek goal. But a win was all they needed to keep their hopes alive. I think Russia could go into their last game with confidance.

GO RUSSIA!!!

As for the Greeks, I really do feel sorry as the reigning champion should not have gone out this early. I think the goal scored by Zyrianov was mainly a Greek mistake and Nikopolidis should have stayed on his line. But overall I think the Greeks put up a display. I think Dellas and Karagounis did well in defence and attack respectively.

I wish the best of luck for Greece in their game against Spain as well as their 2010 World Cup qualification campaign.

This is all I have to say. I’m looking forward to your thoughts and comments.

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Comments

By exile | June 14th, 2008 at 7:40 pm

What is there to say? Both teams fucked up royally in their first game, and now at best one of them will be able to progress, albeit still feeling fragile from their Spanish battering.

It’s a real shame. Russia came here to play beautiful but it all started to fall apart. First Arshavin was suspended for the first 2 games from a ridiculous red-card against Spain’s proxy (Andorra), then Kerzhakov (their leading scorer in qualifying) was dropped from the squad, and the hit-man poised to replace him as #1, Pogrebniak bowed out of the tourney with a knee injury.

As for Greece, they qualified with the most points out of any team, and being defending champs were out to at the very least defend their pride, show it wasn’t the flute (that everyone seems to claim it was) the first time around.

For Russia it was a defensive error by Kolodin turned costly thanks to a sloppy marking by Shirokov. For Greece it was simply a moment of brilliance by Ibrahimovich.

This sport is cruel, particularly its tournaments, and luck plays a big part to any successful squad. Don’t think about it too much, despite what others might read into it, or the media might claim.

Posted from United States

By Hind | June 15th, 2008 at 2:24 pm

Well as a fan of attacking football I must say I’m extremely satisfied with the result. It’s good that there will be sufficient time now for Arshavin to make an impact on the tournament, with the match against Sweden now vitally important for both sides. He was the stand out player in a superb Zenit side this season and it would have been a real shame for him to miss out on his chance to shine on the biggest stage, just as it has been for Pogrebnyak. Missing out on the UEFA Cup final was a huge blow and for that to be followed by missing the European Championships, well, I’ll be wishing him all the best of luck in the future. That said, his replacement, and probably partner were he featuring, Pavlyuchenko was impressive. Were his finishing last night as good as the rest of his game then the performance would have been one of the most memorable in recent years.

Posted from United Kingdom